Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk, the Netherlands, started up a new unit that allows difficult to recycle plastics to be reused. With the Market Development Upgrader (MDU), the chemicals complex can process circular raw materials at scale. The opening marks a significant milestone for Shell and is essential for the development of plastic circularity in the Netherlands.
First, plastic waste is heated to about 450 degrees Celsius (842 degrees Fahrenheit) until it melts, and the oxygen has been completely extracted. What remains is called pyrolysis oil. The MDU purifies this oil so that it can serve as feedstock for the cracking plant at Moerdijk. This cracker cuts and separates larger and smaller molecule chains, making the base chemicals for everyday products.
Eventually, the MDU will be scaled up to full capacity and will handle up to 50 kilotons of pyrolysis oil per year.
Read more at https://www.shell.nl/over-ons/nieuws/nieuwsberichten-2024/moerdijk-zet-grote-stap-richting-circulair-plastic.html
